VTC STEM Education Centre launches School Partnership Scheme, nurturing STEM talent in collaboration with schools and industry

The STEM Education Centre of Vocational Training Council (VTC) organised the VTC STEM Education Day with an Award Presentation Ceremony for the VTC STEM Challenge Cup 2019, today (15 May). The ceremony launched the first STEM School Partnership Scheme, involving fifteen secondary schools, with a view to cultivating the interest of the younger generation in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) through activities like workshops, competitions and summer camps in collaboration with industry.

At the ceremony, the organiser presented awards to winners of the first VTC STEM Challenge Cup, which was for a game programming design competition. A concurrent exhibition was staged to display the work of winning secondary school students and STEM projects co-developed by students and teachers of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE). The showpiece items testified to the creative thinking of the younger generation of Hong Kong.

The Guest of Honour, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Alfred SIT, said, “The Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to developing Hong Kong into a smart city and furthering the development of innovation and technology through an array of measures. In fact, we have state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities, but we also need further support from people who share their enthusiasm for promoting STEM education. We look forward to a closer collaboration with different sectors, including VTC, industry partners and schools to nurture more STEM talent for Hong Kong.”

Addressing the audience, VTC Chairman Dr Roy CHUNG said that in line with Government policy, VTC has been promoting STEM education with a view to nurturing innovative and professional talent for society. Since inception, the STEM Education Centre has worked closely with industry partners, organising workshops, exhibitions, talks and competitions to inspire young people’s interest in STEM subjects and build a technology talent pool for the future.

Established two years ago, the VTC STEM Education Centre rolled out the Industry Partner Collaboration Scheme last year to inspire STEM interest in young minds. Currently, there are 23 partnering organisations under the Scheme (Please see Annex 1).

This year, the VTC STEM Education Centre has signed MOUs with 15 local secondary schools and launched the STEM School Partnership Scheme, extending the partnership to the school sector. Different educational activities will be organised to promote STEM learning and connect schools with the industry, allowing students to know more about STEM and pursue careers in the field. Activities include career workshops, industry sharing and competitions, such as the VTC STEM Challenge Cup which was held for the first time this year. Under the theme“STEM x Career Exploration”, students were required to design computer games about STEM career for the new generation and Girls in STEM. The competition attracted over 50 entries from 33 secondary schools. Outstanding works selected by industry judges were given prizes and showcased at the exhibition today (Please see Annex 2 for the Winners List).

Located in IVE (Tsing Yi), IVE (Chai Wan) and Youth College (Kowloon Bay), the VTC STEM Education Centre, furnished with advanced teaching and learning facilities, provides simulated workplace training as well as a cross-disciplinary learning platform for VTC students. A number of projects co-developed by students and teachers were showcased at the event today including the “Unmanned Electric Rover” designed and modified by IVE Engineering Discipline as well as a STEM activity teaching pack designed by IVE teachers, covering topics about artificial intelligence and smart robotics programming and design.

Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 13 member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) , the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK) , the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) , the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) , the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI) , the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI) , the International Culinary Institute (ICI) , the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI) , Youth College , Pro-Act by VTC , the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and the Shine Skills Centre.
 
Website: www.vtc.edu.hk

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Annex 1:
List of participating organisations of Industry Partner Collaboration Scheme:

1. Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, Airport Authority Hong Kong
2. CLP Power Hong Kong Limited
3. Gammon Construction Limited
4. Hong Kong International Terminals Limited
5. HP Inc Hong Kong Limited
6. Inchcape Hong Kong Limited
7. Maxim's Caterers Limited
8. Microsoft Hong Kong Limited
9. MTR Corporation Limited
10. Siemens Limited
11. The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
12. Hong Kong Electronics & Technologies Association
13. Hong Kong Electronics Industry Council, Federation of Hong Kong Industries
14. The Hong Kong Food Council
15. Hong Kong Computer Society
16. The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
17. The Institution of Engineering and Technology Hong Kong
18. Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Hong Kong Branch
19. Hong Kong Association for Computer Education *
20. Institute of Measurement and Control *
21. Pro-Technic Machinery Limited *
22. SMC Automation (Hong Kong) Limited*
23. Welfare Electronic Component Ltd.*

* Industry partners joining the scheme this year

List of Secondary Schools of the STEM School Partnership Scheme:

1. Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School
2. Chong Gene Hang College
3. Hong Kong Taoist Association Yuen Yuen Institute No.3 Secondary School
4. Jockey Club Government Secondary School
5. Lung Kong World Federation School Limited Lau Wong Fat Secondary School
6. Man Kiu College
7. Mu Kuang English School
8. Po Leung Kuk Yao Ling Sun College
9. Queen Elizabeth School
10. Queen's College Old Boys' Association Secondary School
11. The Methodist Lee Wai Lee College
12. True Light Middle School of Hong Kong
13. Tseung Kwan O Government Secondary School
14. United Christian College (Kowloon East)
15. Ying Wa Girls' School

Annex 2: Winners of the VTC STEM Challenge Cup 2019